Of all the sneaker trends to dominate 2018, one of the most prevalent on both the streets and the runway was without a doubt the revival of chunky, ‘90s-inspired kicks. With few exceptions, brands reached deep into their archives, drawing inspiration from OG kicks of that decade and tweaking them to meet modern day comfort requirements. Drawing 2018 to a close was one of the year's highlights, the ASICS’ GEL-KAYANO 5. With only a couple of colorways dropped so far, there is rumored to be a lot in store for KAYANO 5 fans in 2019 beginning with a two-kicks pack that channels vibes from another of the past year's favored footwear trends – trail shoes.
The ASICS’ GEL-KAYANO 5 re-released in November to honor the launch of the KAYANO line’s 25th iteration, the GEL-KAYANO 25. Central to the KAYANO range is the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which signifies continuous improvement. Comprising one GEL-KAYANO 5 and one GEL-KAYANO 25 – the fifth and twenty-fifth iterations of the franchise – the Trail pack captures that evolution, paying tribute to both new and old.
Although the first KAYANOs were designed with runners' needs in mind, the GEL-KAYANO 5 was the first to bring technology to the forefront by making it visible through its Duomax sole that incorporated ASICS' GEL cushioning technology into the midsole. Similarly, the GEL-KAYANO 25 treads heavily in technical territory with its midsole made from a lightweight and high-resilience sponge material called Flytefoam. An equally technically-driven area of footwear, trail shoes is a fitting source of inspiration for the brand's winter drop.
Tapping into the theme, both silhouettes boast hiking boot-style laces and light gray uppers with color injected through bright hits of red, blue, and yellow. Regarding materials, the GEL-KAYANO 5 features a mesh base with leather and suede overlays, while the GEL-KAYANO 25 boasts a mesh upper reinforced with suede around the toe, eyelets, and heel.
The GEL-KAYANO 5 and GEL-KAYANO 25 retail at €140/$120 and €180/$160 respectively and are available now at select sneaker retailers worldwide. The GEL-KAYANO 5 can also be copped via asicstiger.com.
